Jus need some input on which engine is better as far as performance and reliability?

 

Currently running a 360 but I have a 351m on a stand jus wanna know pros and cons

 

FE motors are pigs - great stump pullers, low end torque, etc. The 335 series motors, (stock 351M) are not much better. Retarded cam from the factory, all the smog crapola, etc, make them as reliable and perform as well as a stock 360...maybe a bit better gas mileage. For a swap. you'll need a "big block" bell housing and different engine mounts. Wiring could present a problem, I'm not sure.

I prefer the 335 series engines.

 

I've had several people tell me to get a crank and rods from a 390 to give it a shot in the arm but I'm worried about reliability too would this be the best way to go since I'm so re day setup to run a fe motor

 

I think they are about the same for both performand and reliability. As Filthy Beast mentioned you'll have some challenges with all the peripheral parts to swap over from one to the other. You might keep on the lookout for another 360 if you need a spare.

 

My 360 now runs good but I'd like a lil more hp and wasn't sure if the 360 was a good motor or not I'm new to these motors don't know much on either one

 

360 is a good motor, it's bigger brother is the 390 which is what you might look at for more HP. Peripheral parts between them (for the most part) are interchangeable which means it would be an ea$ier upgrade on the wallet than going the 351m/400 or even 460 route.

I'm a 335 guy but only because all my dents came with one. If I had a 360/390 I'd stay in that family.

 

So would I need jus a crank and rods to give it a boost?

 

Changing the 360 to a 390 is a better way to go, as stated before. Any engine would benefit from a free flowing exhaust - headers, true dual exhaust, performance mufflers, and the FEs are no exception. Next would come a 4v intake and carb, maybe a "better" cam, straight up timing chain, etc.

You'll get more poop out of the 360 with just an exhaust up grade if dollars are thin....

 

Poop lol I like it

 

Go with upgrading the 360. To swap in the 351M would be a waste of time and money. The prior posts are right, you have to change the trans, mounts etc etc. And the 351M needs the 400 crank and some aftermarket pistons plus a cam to make any decent power. Otherwise it is a real pooch in stock form.

The 360 will accept the 390 crank and rods. Using the same (or same spec) piston as the 360 along with the 390 crank and rods gives you a 390 with compression in the 9s.

Headers make a big difference to the FE motor. After that, intakes, cams etc.

The FE had many performance parts as OEM and a ton more aftermarket. See the FE forum for thousands of 360/390/410/445 build threads.

If you had the 351M in the truck already it would be a different story.

 

So my next question is can I jus add a 4barrel can and exhaust to wake up my 360? What hp diffrence would it make?

 

yes, Get the 360 to breath better (intake, carb, headers (might consider the Y or X crossover open exhaust topic if you're running all new pipes back) is a good start and these are NOT throwaway investments if you go further down the path (cam, crank, pistons, etc.).

I can't speak to the HP increase estimate from doing this first part, truck will certainly be more responsive.

 

x2, headers, a good intake and a smallish 4bbl have been done by a couple members on the FE forum with good results.

I will give a wag of 25 to 40 HP increase.

 

What can should I use